Self-unloading transport truck



Feb. 5, 1957 E. E. KANEY' SELFUNLOADING [TRANSPORT TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed April 5, 1954 Feb. 5, 1957 E. E. KANEY SELF-UNLOADING TRANSPORTTRUCK Filed April 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r l l l J 1 z \N y rl wwlwmli'ww I 1 4 f-n/z/anfir Edward E Zaney Feb. 5, 1957 E. E. KANEYSELF-UNLOADING TRANSPORT TRUCK Filed April 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Edward E. Haney Feb. 5, 1957 E. E. KANEY SELF-UNLOADING TRANSPORT TRUCK4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 5, 1954 14% Edward E Haney United StatesPatent M 2,780,369 SELF-UNLOADING TRANSPORT TRUCK Edward E. Kaney,Freeport, Ill.

Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,862

27 Claims. c1. 214-83.28)

This invention relates to a new and improved selfunloading highwaytransport truck construction designed for the transportationinterchangeably 'of liquids and granular or pulverized materials, thetruck being so constructed that commodities of dry powdered or granulartype may be readily and speedily unloaded under air pressure.

The salient feature of my invention consists in the provision, extendinglengthwise of the bottom portion of the tank body of the truck at apredetermined elevation with respect to the bottom wall, of compressedair pipes disposed in the lower cut-away portions of the transversebafiie plates and having nozzles provided thereon in longitudinallyspaced relation, some of which are directed upwardly in a predeterminedrelation to the bafiie plates to agitate and churn up the the materialso that it will settle freely and be entrained with the stream ofmaterial flowing toward the rear outlet along the bottom wall, all ofthe other nozzles being directed downwardly and rearwardly to convey thematerial to an outlet neck provided on the rear end of the tank. Thenozzles are all employed in this way in the handling of bulk cement andother pow-' dered and granular products. When handling flour and similarfood products, the air employed for discharge of the material will besuitably purified and the domes and unloading valves will be ofstainless steel construction to comply with pure food regulations. Inthe handling of petroleum products, all of the nozzles will be eithercapped or shut off from inside the pipes if the pipes are not dismountedand removed. In the handling of milk and other food products the domesand unloading valve will be of stainless steel construction and likewisethe pipes and nozzles and the caps on the nozzles, if the pipes are notdismounted and removed.

Another important feature of my invention is the provision on the rearlower end portion of the tank of an outlet neck having a peripheralattaching flange on the end thereof onto which various adapters may besecured interchangeably to suit difierent requirements, depending partlyupon the material being handled and partly upon where the material isbeing discharged. The various adapters are also either provided withunloading valves or have such valves connected thereto designed to suitthe kind of material being handled, and in the case of an adapter forthe discharge of grain or similar material it is preferably equippedwith a flexible h-ose extension to permit directing the discharge fromone to another of 'two or more bins, hoppers or elevators into which thegrain or other material is being unloaded.

Theinven'tion is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigs. 1 and 2 are plan and side views, respectively, of a transporttruck semi-trailer the tank body of which embodies the improvements ofmy invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, indieating in dottedlines how the connections for the two pipes may be jackknifed to enablewithdrawal of the pipes;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the battle plate shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is another view similar to Fig. 6 but showing still another formof adapter having a flexible discharge hose attached thereto;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are a side, top and end view of the outlet neck;

Fig. 13 is a view taken on the line 13-13 of Figs 2 and 14 showing thespacing and arrangement of nozzles on one of the two air discharge pipesin a typical compart-' ment of the tank;

Fig. 14 is a developed section on the line 1414 of Figs. 1, l3 and 15,showing two typical nozzles with their discharge ends capped, and

Figs. 15 and 16 are horizontal sectional details along the lines of Fig.13 illustrating two methods of sealing the air discharge pipes when thecompressed air for discharge of material is not being used and the pipesare not disconnected and removed, Fig. 15 showing caps applied, as inFig. 14, and Fig. 16 showing a slidable sleeve valve for the inside ofthe pipe.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughoutthe views.

Referring to the drawings, and first of all mainly to Figs. 1 to 5, thereference numeral 17 designates an elongated tank body for asemi-trailer, the same having a turntable or upper coupler plate 18under its front end for supporting the same on the truck to which thetrailer is adapted to be detachably coupled in the usual way, thetrailer having its front end supported on jacks 19 when it is uncoupledand having tandem axles equipped with dual wheels 20 for support of therear end. The tank 17 has the usual number of battles or surge plates 21provided therein transversely thereof at spaced intervals and these thecompartments for filling, the openings in the domes being large enoughto serve as manholes and the openings 22 being also large enough topermit a workman who has entered the tank to go from one compartmentinto another. The construction thus far described is 'oldand well known,and it will soon be evident that the improvements of my invention havebeen designed with a view to incorporating the same with a minimumamount of change in the rest of the construction.

In accordance with my invention, the holes 23, which are all inalignment longitudinally of the bottom of the tank 17, are utilized forthe extension lengthwise in the bottom portion of the tank at a suitableelevation with respect to the bottom wall of a pair of compressed airconduits or pipes 25 and 26 which are suitably capped at the rear end,as indicated at 27, and are interconnected at their front ends ;byelbows 28 and 29 interconnected by by a nipple 30 on an axis parellel tothe pipes 25 and 26, so that the connections may be jackknifed, asindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, to enable withdrawal of the pipesfrom the rear end of the tank. Brackets 31 welded or otherwise suitablysecured to the baffles 21 and projecting inwardly from the oppositesides of the V openings 23 serve as supports for the pipes 25 and 26,

Patented Feb. 5, 1957 a sen l but when the connections. 28-29. arejackknifed these pipes are brought together close enough to clear thebrackets and drop to the bottom of the tank so that they may be removed.through the outlet neck 32 after removal of the cover plate 33 that isbolted to the attaching flange 34 provided on the rear end of the neck32. The pipes 25 and 26 have 90 elbow shaped nozzles 35 and 36 providedthereon in longitudinally spaced relation. Nozzles 35 projecthorizontally inwardly toward one another from pipes 25 and 26 and aredirected rearwardly and more or less downwardly toward the bottom of thetank to discharge powerful air streams toward the rear end of the tankso as to. conduct the. material of powdered or granular type with it fordischarge directly out of the neck 32 or through a suitable unloadingvalve, mounted thereon or on an adapter. In Fig. 1 these jets areindicated at a and b. The nozzles 36 project from the other sides of.the pipes and are directed more, or. less downwardly and inwardly andrearwardly 10.1 callseeutrainment of. materialffromithe side portions ofthe compartments with the stream of material moving rearwardly along.the rearwardly and downwardly inclinedggangway defined on the bottom ofthe tank through the longitudinally aligned openings 23. These jets areindicatediatc and d in Fig. l. The hopper-like bottom portion of thetank 17 (see Figs. 3 and makes the material gravitate toward thenozzles. Also, as indicated at123', the baffles 21 have their lowerportions on opposite sides of openings 23 bent rearwardly so as toexpedite entrainment. of material from the sides of each compartment inthe rearward flow of the materialtoward the outlet. At least one nozzles37 of the 45 typeis directed upwardly from each of the pipes and 26 atboth ends'of each? compartment against the adjacent baffle 21, as shownat the left and right hand ends of Fig. 13, to be sure that the materialwilln'ot-tend to remain static at these places and-thus interfere withthe desired quick discharge of the contents of the tank.

Any suitable or preferred means may be employed for delivery ofcompressed air to the pipes 25 and 26.

It may be on the'truck or independent of it. I'have indicatedin Figs. 1and 2 a transversely. extending manifold '3S which has risers 39 and40extending upwardly therefrom and suitably detachably coupled with thepipes 25- and 26 respectively, so that the pipes can be disconnecte'dfrom the manifoldSS -through one of the domes 24 communicatingwith thecompartment in which these couplings are located, thus permittingrearward removal ofth'e-pipes 25 and 26 from the tank,'as previouslymentioned. The manifold 38 is connected by a pipe 41 with anaircompressor 42-which is drivenby an internal cornbustion engine 43,the compressor and engine being mountedv on a carriage 44'suitably'secured to andrsuspended from the frame under the tank 17.

In operation, the nozzles 35--37 are all employed in the mannerdescribed in the handling of bulk cement and" other powdered andgranular" productsf When handlingflour and similar food product sfthefair em ploy'edfor discharge of the material will be suitably purified toprevent contamination, andthe pipes, nozzlesand domes and unloadingvalve attached to the-neck 32 will be of stainless steel construction,and the inside of the tank will be suitably coated tocomply-withregulations. In the handling of petroleum products, assuming that pipes25 and26 are to be removed, the risers 39"and I40 are uncoupled frompipes 25 and 26 and are suitably capped," and then the connections 23are jackknifed to permit removal of the pipesjrom the tank,through therear end thereof. on the other hand, these nozzles.

may be fitted with caps likethose indicated at 45 in 14 and 15, or allof thenozzles may be shut ofl by means of a sleeve'valve 46 which may beprovided extendinglengthwise of thebore in each of thepipes 25 and'26.,as iIl"'Fig..16, aIld arranged to be moved endwise or turned withrespect to the pipe to'shut off all of the' nozzles by moving ports 47provided in the sleeve out of register with the holes in the pipes withwhich the nozzles communicate. The sleeves 46 may be operated from therear end of the tank upon removal of the cover plate 33 and removal ofthe caps 27 from the rear ends of the pipes. The tank 17 if intended forsuch uses is preferably coated on the inside to make it resistant toacids and impervious to petroleum products as well as a non-conductor ofelectricity.

The outlet neck 32 as illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12, is of oblong shape,and, hence, when petroleum products, milk, or acids are beingtransported, an adapter like that shown at 48 in Figs. 6 and 7 isapplied to the neck by means of an attaching flange 49 made to fit theflange 34 and perforated to provide bolt holes registering with the boltholes in the flange 34 to accommodate a series of bolts a suitablegasket (not shown) being, of course, inserted between the attachingflanges to provide a liquid tight joint. The neck 51 of the adapter 48is of circular form and has a circular attaching flange 52 by means ofwhich the adapter may be fastened to a suitable unloading val'vetnotshown); In the handling of milk, and other food products, the domes andunloading valve and adapter will be of stainless steel construction andlikewise the pipes 25 and26 and caps 45 applied to the nozzles on thepipes, if the pipes are not dismounted and removed.

In the handling of grain, an adapter like that shown at 53 in Fig. 9 isapplied to the discharge neck 32 after the cover plate 33 has beenremoved, the adapter 53 having an attaching flange 54 which can bebolted to the attaching flange 34, as indicated at 55. A second adaoter56 boltsonto the attaching flange 57 of the adapter 53 by means of itsattaching flange 58 and a flexible extension hose 59 of canvas or othersuitable construction is secured to the adapter 56 and serves to conductthe grain or other granular material to the bin, hopper, elevator, orother receptable that is to receive the material.

In the handling of bulk cement, an adapter like that shown at 60 in Fig.8 is secured to the neck 32 by bolting onto the attachingflange 34similarly as in Fig. 9 when the cover plate 33 has been removed. Thisadapter 60 has the discharge neck thereof of rectangular form and hasahand-controlled unloading valve 61 provided therein swingable like agate with the cross-rod 62 from a substantially vertical closed positionto as wide an open position as desired, as indicated in dotted lines. Arectangular cap 63 is fastenable by means of its attaching flange 64 tothe attaching flange 65 on the outlet end of the adapter 60. A handle 66is shown extending'from one end of the rod 62 for manipulation of theunloading valve 61.

For off-the-road use, as in interplant carrying of materials, asforprocessing, the tank 17 may be made much larger, so as to enablehandling. much larger amounts of material than could be transported onhighways due to load'restrictions. And in such units the compressed airwould be suppliedfrom the plant lines. Conversely, while'I'have shown afairly large tank 17, it will be understood that smaller tanks maybeprovided, and-in some of these only one compressed air pipe may beused. While I have not shown any protective rear bumper, it will, ofcourse, be understood that one is provided in actual practice shieldingthe unloading valve and outlet neck from possible damage in the event ofcollisions.

In closing, I would add that thefront end of the tank 17 may be raisedinanysuitable manner, as by jacks 19 or other means, to further speed upthe unloading of certain materials that might otherwise take too longwith only the small amount of normal inclination of-the tank bottomindicated.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding ofthe objects and advantages of my invenarm. The: apphrided cla'ims' havebeen-drawn: tozcoverl all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

l. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending substantially vertical battles mounted therein definingseparate compartments therebetween, the baflles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable sizeestablishing communication between neighboring compartments andpermitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tankthe full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion ofsaid tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in thebattles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said alignedopenings in the baflles and having nozzles thereon in each of saidcompartments directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propeldry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaidaligned openings for discharge from the tank, and means for supplyingcompressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles.

2. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending substantially vertical baflles mounted therein definingseparate compartments therebetween, the bafiles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable sizeestablishing communication between neighboring compartments andpermitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tankthe full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion ofsaid tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in thebafiles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said alignedopenings in the baflies and having nozzles thereon in each of saidcompartments, some of which are directed toward the outlet end of thetank so 3 as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said endthrough the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank,while others are directed in acute angle relationship to the directionof discharge from the first mentioned nozzles to cause entrainment ofmaterial from the side portions of the compartments with the stream ofmaterial propelled by the first mentioned nozzles, and means forsupplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles.

3. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending substantially vertical battles mounted therein definingseparate compartments therebetween, the batlles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable sizeestablishing communication between neighboring compartments andpermitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank,an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinalalignment with the aforesaid openings in the battles, a pipe extendinglengthwise 'of the tank through said aligned openings in the bafiies andhaving nozzles thereon, some of which are directed toward the outlet endof the tank so as to propel drymaterial under air pressure toward saidend through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge t'rom the tank,while others are directed in acute angle relationship to the directionof discharge from the first mentioned nozzles to cause entrainment ofmaterial from the side portions of the compartments with the stream ofmaterial propelled by the first mentioned nozzles, and while stillothers are directed upwardly against the battles to loosen the materialin that vicinity and cause it to settle to the vicinity of the firstmentioned nozzles, and means for supplying compressed air to said pipefor discharge from said nozzles.

4. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending substantially vertical bafiles mounted therein definingseparate compartments therebetween, the baflles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable sizeestablishing communication between neighboring compartments andpermitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tankthe full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion ofsaid tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesald openings in thebaffles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said alignedopenings in the baffles and having nozzles thereon in each of saidcompartments, some of which are directed toward the outlet end of thetank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said endthrough the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank,while others are directed upwardly against the bafiles to loosen thematerial in that vicinity and cause it to settle to the vicinity of thefirst mentioned nozzles, and means for supplying compressed air to saidpipe for discharge from said nozzles.

5. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 including a second pipe extendinglengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the baffles inlaterally spaced relationship to the other pipe, said second pipe havingnozzles thereon similarly as the other pipe and being likewise suppliedwith compressed air for discharge from said nozzles.

6. A vehicle as set forth in claim 2 including a second pipe extendinglengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the bafiles inlaterally spaced relationship to the other pipe, said second pipe havingnozzles thereon similarly as the other pipe and being likewise suppliedwith compressed air for discharge from said nozzles.

7. A vehicle as set forth in claim 3 including a second pipe extendinglengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the battles inlaterally spaced relationship to the other pipe, said second pipe havingnozzles thereon similarly as the other pipe and being likewise suppliedwith compressed air for discharge from said nozzles.

8. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending bafies mounted therein, the baffles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permittingmaterial to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the fulllength thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tankin longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafiles, apipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings inthe bafiles and having nozzles thereon, some of which are directedtoward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under airpressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings fordischarge from the tank, while others are directed upwardly against thebaffles to loosen the material in that vicinity and cause it to settleto the vicinity of the first mentioned nozzles, means for supplyingcompressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and asecond pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said alignedopenings in the battles in laterally spaced relationship to the otherpipe, said second pipe having nozzles thereon similarly as the otherpipe and being likewise supplied with compressed air for discharge fromsaid nozzles.

9. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of Iongitudinally spaced, transverselyextending baffles mounted therein, the batlles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permittingmaterial to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the fulllength thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tankin longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafiles, apipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings inthe baffles and having nozzles thereon directed toward the outlet end ofthe tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said endthrough the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, andmeans for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from saidnozzles, each of said baflles having the portions on opposite sides ofthe bottom openingbent at an acute angle to the rest of the baffle inthe general direction of the outlet end of the tank so asto facilitatecompartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of thebottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of thebottom portion of: said; tank in longitudinal alignment with theaforesaid openings in; the; baffles, a pipe extending lengthwise of thetank through said aligned openings in the battles and havingnozzlesthereon directed toward the outlet end of the: tank so asto propel drymaterial under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaidaligned openings for discharge from the tank, means for supplyingcompressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and-meansfor elevating the tank at the end remote from the outlet to facilitateunloading of certain materials.

11. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending bafi'les mounted therein, the baffles having longitudinallyaligned bottomopenings provided therein of appreciable size permittingmaterial to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of, the tankthe fulllength thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tankin longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafies, apipe extending lengthwise of the tank'through said aligned openingsinthe baffies and having nozzles thereon directed toward-the outlet end ofthe tank so as to propel dry materialunder air pressure toward said endthrough the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank,means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from saidnozzles, said tank being adapted to be used interchangeably fortransportation of liquids, and caps applied to and closing said nozzlesagainst ingress of liquid when the tank is loaded with liquid.

12. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely.extending. baflies mounted therein, the baffles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable sizepermittingniaterial to, flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of-thetank, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank inlongitudinal alignment'with the aforesaid openings in the batfles, apipe extending lengthwise of thetank through said-alignedopenings in thebattles and having nozzles thereon directed toward the outlet end of thetank so asto propel dry material under air pressure toward said endthrough the aforesaid aligned openings for'discharge-from the tank, meanfor supplying: compressed air to said pipe for discharge from saidnozzles, said tank being: adapted to be used interchangeably fortransportationof liquids, and a ported sleeve valve inside said pipehaving its portsnormally in register with open ings provided in the pipecommunicating with the nozzles, saidsleeve valve being shiftable to aclosed position to prevent entry of liquid when the tank is loaded withliquid.

13. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an-elongated-loadcarrying tank having aplurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending bafiles mounted therein, the baffles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein ofappreciable size permittingmaterial to flow freely lengthwise-'ofith'e bottom of the tank the fulllengtlinthereof, an outlet" on one end of the bottom portion of saidtank in longitudinal alignment, with the. aforesaid. openings in the.baflles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through. saidalignedopenings in the baffi'es and having nozzles thereon directedtoward the outlct'end of the tank so as to propel dry material under airpressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings fordischarge from the tank, means for supplying compressed air to said pipefor discharge from said nozzles, said tank being adapted to be usedinterchangeably for transportation of liquids, and means detachablyconnecting said pipe with said last named means so as to permit removalof the pipe when the tank is to be loaded with liquid.

14. A vehicle of the character described, comprising; an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending bafilcs mounted therein, the baffies having longitudinallyalignedbottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permittingmaterial to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of. the tank the fulllength thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tankin longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafiles, apair of substantially parallel pipes extending lengthwise of the tankthrough said aligned openings in the bafiles and having nozzles thereondirected toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry materialunder air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid alignedopenings for discharge from the tank, supporting ledges on said baflleson opposite sides of said openings on which the pipes are normallydisposed in a predetermined elevated relation to the bottom of the tank,said pipes being interconnected at at least one end thereof by laterallyextending portions which have a hinge connection, which when extended tohold the pipes apart serve to retain the same on said ledges and whichwhen folded bring the pipes closer together clear of the ledges so as toenable dropping the same to the tank bottom for removal from the tank,said tank being adapted to be used interchangeably for transportation ofliquids, means for supplying compressed air to said pipes for dischargefrom said nozzles, and means detachably connecting said pipes with saidlast named means so as to permit removal of the pipes when the tank isto be loaded with liquid.

15. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeablyin the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids,said vehicle comprising an elongated substantially horizontal loadcarrying tank provided with an outlet on the lower rear end portionthereof, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank in the lower portionthereof in front of said outlet having nozzles directed toward saidoutlet so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward saidoutlet for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed airto said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and caps applied to andclosing said nozzles against ingress of liquid when the tank is loaded'with liquid.

16. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeablyin the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids,said vehicle comprising an elongated substantially horizontal loadcarrying tank provided with an outlet on the lower rear end portionthereof, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank in the lower portionthereof in front of said outlet having nozzles directed toward saidoutlet so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward saidoutlet for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed airto said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and a ported: sleeve valveinside said pipe having its ports normally in register with openingsprovided in the pipe communicating with the nozzles, said sleeve valvebeing shiftable to a closed position to prevent entry of liquid when thetank is loaded with liquid.

17. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeablyin the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids,said vehicle compris-' ing an elongated'substantially horizontal loadcarrying" tank provided with an outlet on the lower rear end portionthereof, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank in the lower portionthereof in front of said outlet having nozzles directed toward saidoutlet so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward saidoutlet for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed airto said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and means detachablyconnecting said .pipe with said last named means so as to perinitremoval of the pipe when the tank is to be loaded with liquid.

18. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeablyin the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids,said vehicle comprising an elongated substantially horizontal loadcarrying tank provided with an outlet neck on the lower rear end portionthereof, said neck being provided with an attaching flange, a closureplate removably applied to said flange to close the outlet, an adapterdischarge fitting having an attaching flange matching the last namedflange and applicable thereto upon removal of said plate, and a handcontrolled unloading valve in said fitting.

19. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending bafiies mounted therein, the balfles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permittingmaterial to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the fulllength thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tankin longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the baflles, apipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings inthe battles and having nozzles thereon directed toward the outlet end ofthe tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said endthrough the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, asecond pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said alignedopenings in the baifles in laterally spaced relationship to the otherpipe and having nozzles thereon also directed toward the outlet end ofthe tank to propel dry material under air pressure toward said endthrough the aligned openings for discharge from the tank, and means forsupplying compressed air to said pipes for discharge from said nozzles,said pipes being disposed adjacent opposite sides of said alignedopenings, and said battles having the portions thereof on opposite sidesof said openings bent at an acute angle in the general direction of theoutlet end of the tank to facilitate entrainment of material from thesides of the compartments defined between baffles with the stream ofmaterial flowing through said aligned openings toward said outlet.

20. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeablyin the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids,said vehicle comprising an elongated substantially horizontal loadcarrying tank provided with an outlet neck on the lower rear end portionthereof, said neck being provided with an attaching flange, an adapterdischarge fitting equipped with an attaching flange to match the lastnamed flange for detachable application to the outlet neck to suit thematerial or liquid to be carried in the tank and be discharged from theneck, and an unloading valve in said fitting.

21. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending substantially vertical baflles mounted therein definingseparate compartments therebetween, the baflles having longitudinallyaligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable sizeestablishing communication between neighboring compartments andpermitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tankthe full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion ofsaid tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid opening-s in thebafiles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said alignedopenings in the battles and having nozzles thereon in each of saidcompartments directed toward the outlet end of the tank was to'propeldry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaidaligned openings for discharge from the tank, said baflies having theportions thereof on opposite sides of said openings bent at an acuteangle in the general direction of the outlet end of the tank tofacilitate flow of material from the sides of the compartments with thestream of material flowing through said aligned openings toward saidoutlet, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for dischargefrom said nozzles, and means for elevating the 'tank at the end remotefrom the outlet to facilitate unloading of said materials.

22. A vehicle as set forth in claim 21, including nozzles on said pipein each of said compartments directed at an acute angle relationship tothe direction of discharge from the other nozzles to encourageentrainment of material from the side portions of the compartments withthe stream of material propelled by the other nozzles.

23. A vehicle as set forth in claim 21, including other nozzles on saidpipe in each of said compartments directed upwardly against the bafllesto loosen the material in that vicinity and cause it to settle to thevicinity of the other nozzles.

24. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending substantially vertical baflles mounted therein definingseparate compartments therebetween, the baflles having longitudinallyaligned bottom opening provided therein of appreciable size establishingcommunication between neighboring compartments and permitting materialto flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full lengththereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank inlongitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the baffles, apipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings inthe baffles and having nozzles thereon in each of said compartmentsdirected toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry materialunder air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid alignedopenings for discharge from the tank, other nozzles on said pipe in eachof said compartments directed in acute angle relationship to thedirection of discharge from the first mentioned nozzles to encourageentrainment of material from the side portions of the compartments withthe stream of material propelled by the first mentioned nozzles,means'for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from saidnozzles, and means for elevating tthe tank at the end remote from theoutlet end to facilitate unloading of said materials.

25. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated loadcarrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending substantially vertical baffles mounted therein definingseparate compartments 'therebetween, the bafiles having longitudinallyaligned bottom opening provided therein of appreciable size establishingcommunication between neighboring compartments and permitting materialto flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full lengththereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank inlongitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the baflles, -apipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings inthe bafiles and having nozzles thereon in each of said compartmentsdirected toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry materialunder air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid alignedopenings for discharge from the tank, other nozzles on said pipe in eachof said compartments directed upwardly against the baflles to loosen thematerial in that vicinity and cause it to settle to the vicinity of thefirst mentioned nozzles, means for supplying compressed air to said pipefor discharge from said nozzles, and means for elevating the tank at theend remote from the outlet to facilitate unloading of said materials.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Grindl- Aug. 21, Sche're'r Sept. 21, Robinson Apr.7, Thv'ia'ifs June 20, McKe'n'na -2 Feb. 20, Evans Jan. 20, KefidallOct, 17, Cellwork Jan. 2, Bdiich Dec. 25, I-Ia'ckley 2 Apr. 22,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Apr. 10,

Germany Aug. 6,

